Massive Mare Island-Made RKF

[tdurbinmas]

I am happy to share my newest flag, a No 2 size, March 1936 Mare Island-made RKF. The flag is a single appliqué fully sewn banner measuring approximately 8' x 18'. The canvas header is intact with markings very similar to a February 1936 Mare Island No 2 RKF previously featured on WAF ten years ago. The rope, ring and snap have been removed from this flag. There are a couple of small holes from chemicals or burns, but otherwise it is in great condition for 85 years of age.

If anyone can share information about American or other non-German made RKF's I would really appreciate it. My first RKF was a FIB Pola, Italian-made RKF. It is printed and much smaller. My main collecting interest is Ameerican military flags of all the service branches including naval flags so this RKF is a very special flag for my collection.

[tdurbinmas]

Rkf

Excellent quality of construction. There are dozens of pieces sewn together in a single thickness appliqué.

[tdurbinmas]

RKF Photos

Mare Island RKF 1936, First Pattern

[oldflagswanted]

Imo ...

I am happy to share my newest flag, a No 2 size, March 1936 Mare Island-ma
de RKF. The flag is a single appliqué fully sewn banner
measuring approximately 8' x 18'. The canvas header is intact with
markings very similar to a February 1936 Mare Island No 2 RKF
previously featured on WAF ten years ago. The rope, ring and snap
have been removed from this flag. There are a couple of small holes
from chemicals or burns, but otherwise it is in great condition for 85
years of age.

If anyone can share information about American or other non-German
made RKF's I would really appreciate it. My first RKF was a FIB Pola,
Italian-made RKF. It is printed and much smaller. My main collecting
interest is Ameerican military flags of all the service branches including
naval flags so this RKF is a very special flag for my collection.

Hello tdurbinmas:
IMO, a superb example of the rarest RKF per
t=427262 maker listings. Congratulations on it.
Thanks for posting some nice detailed photos too.
.......OFW

[tdurbinmas]

Thanks OFW!

Hello tdurbinmas:
IMO, a superb example of the rarest RKF per
t=427262 maker listings. Congratulations on it.
Thanks for posting some nice detailed photos too.
.......OFW

Thanks for the nice comments OFW! I appreciate it. Lucky to have found such a rare flag by accident. It's just my third RKF.

[tdurbinmas]

RKF Comparison

For comparison, here is a German-made (cannot read mfr name) 300 x 500 naval stamped (Eagle M) flag. the length is identical at 18' but the German flag is much wider. The German flag is also the screen printed wool material.

[oldflagswanted]

about collecting RKF's.

Thanks for the nice comments OFW! I appreciate it.
Lucky to have found such a rare flag by accident. It's
just my third RKF.

Back in the early 1970's, when I collected just
maritime flags, I had an idea of obtaining RKF's
in all 8 of their official KM issued flag sizes. This
idea soon faded upon my discovery of unit flags.
------------( Official KM issue RKF sizes )---------------
Size#, measurement ship tonnage, type ship (not in KMF book)
#12, 450x750cm, over 10K, Battleship (Bismarck 50Kt)
11, 400x670cm, over 10K tons, B-Cruiser (Prinz Eugen 14Kt)
10, 300x500cm, 1500 to 10K tons, Cruiser (Leipzig 8.4K tons)
8, 200x335cm, 1500 to 10K tons, Destroyer 3Kt & Cruiser 8Kt
7, 150x250cm, 500 to 1500 tons, (note U-Boat pole too short)
6, 100x170cm, 500 to 1500 tons, DE-Torpedo Boat 900 tons
#5, 80x135cm, up to 500 tons, U-Boats and E-Boats, tugs
#3, 50x85cm, up to 500 tons, U-Boats 900t, E-Boats 120t
--------------------------------------------------------
My 1st military flag was obtained in 1970, a 50x85cm
RKF U.S. Army captured in the Brest France U-Boat pens.
My largest 450x750cm RKF came to me from South America
having once been flown on the Pocket Battleship Graf Spee.
..OFW

(below-left) My 1st military flag obtained in 1970.

[vonStubben]

If anyone can share information about American or other non-German made RKF's I would really appreciate it. My first RKF was a FIB Pola, Italian-made RKF. It is printed and much smaller. My main collecting interest is Ameerican military flags of all the service branches including naval flags so this RKF is a very special flag for my collection.

Although German field made you may find this one of interest:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=942417

[oldflagswanted]

Previously on the WAF ...

If anyone can share information about American or
other non-German made RKF's I would really appreciate
it. My first RKF was a FIB Pola, Italian-made RKF. It is
printed and much smaller. My main collecting interest is
Ameerican military flags of all the service branches
including naval flags so this RKF is a very special flag
for my collection. ...

... the U.S. Navy 1936 RKF drawing for yard production.
........OFW

.....................(below) As cited USN drawing...

[Berghof]

Honestly, I'm not afraid to admit, I had no idea the US made flags for Germany. Absolutely fantastic and fascinating for me. Congrats on the acquisition.


.

[oldflagswanted]

Previously on the WAF ...

Honestly, I'm not afraid to admit, I had no idea
the US made flags for Germany. Absolutely fantastic
and fascinating for me. Congrats on the acquisition.

UK also made RKF's during WW2, and flew one
in combat during the French Drydock raid at St.
Nazaire ("Operation Chariot") aboard the H.M.S.
Campbelltown to fool the German defenders.
OFW
(below-cen & rt) WW2 UK made RKF example.
(below-2) USN drawing for Japan RS ray flag.
PS/ Rarest RKF would be WW2 Japan made.

[oldflagswanted]

WW2 use of UK made RKF.

UK made RKF used during WW2 at German
soldier funeral, as noted by it being a first
pattern with narrow swastika arm edges.
OFW
(below) As cited WW2 UK made RKF in use.

[ghostcinderella]

Do you still own that 450x750cm RKF from the Pocket Battleship Graf Spee?

Back in the early 1970's, when I collected just
maritime flags, I had an idea of obtaining RKF's
in all 8 of their official KM issued flag sizes. This
idea soon faded upon my discovery of unit flags.
------------( Official KM issue RKF sizes )---------------
Size#, measurement ship tonnage, type ship (not in KMF book)
#12, 450x750cm, over 10K, Battleship (Bismarck 50Kt)
11, 400x670cm, over 10K tons, B-Cruiser (Prinz Eugen 14Kt)
10, 300x500cm, 1500 to 10K tons, Cruiser (Leipzig 8.4K tons)
8, 200x335cm, 1500 to 10K tons, Destroyer 3Kt & Cruiser 8Kt
7, 150x250cm, 500 to 1500 tons, (note U-Boat pole too short)
6, 100x170cm, 500 to 1500 tons, DE-Torpedo Boat 900 tons
#5, 80x135cm, up to 500 tons, U-Boats and E-Boats, tugs
#3, 50x85cm, up to 500 tons, U-Boats 900t, E-Boats 120t
--------------------------------------------------------
My 1st military flag was obtained in 1970, a 50x85cm
RKF U.S. Army captured in the Brest France U-Boat pens.
My largest 450x750cm RKF came to me from South America
having once been flown on the Pocket Battleship Graf Spee.
..OFW

(below-left) My 1st military flag obtained in 1970.

[dhcoleterracina]

Blows my mind that Mare Island made German flags.

[Adam S.]

I'm still DYING to see a #12 Battleship sized RKF... I've seen them on ships in pics but I NEED to see one IRL or in a collection photo...